This week Wednes matches wits (and witty barbs) with Frankie [http://linktr.ee/frankanthonypolito]--cutest kid in elementary school and award-winning writer with the medal to prove it. We talk about the perils of marketing with Zuckerbots afoot. Wednes learns what a Literary Death Match is, and we both realize we named characters after each other in our debut novels (even though we hadn't talked in decades at the time). We share childhood memories including bullies, therapy, revelations of abuse, and one of us figuring out they were gay--you'll never guess which one. LOL

TW for domestic violence, child abuse, bullying, suicide, and slurs 

Guest: Playwright and Author Frank Anthony Polito

This week's guest, Cat Voleur, [https://linktr.ee/catvoleur] wears many hats and tackles a variety of issues in her life and work. We talk movie tie-in novels and Graveyard Shark in general. Also representation, horror and comedy, politics, non-fiction, and of course, a MadLib. The ep concludes with a killer short story you will not want to miss.

Author, Tie-in Writer, and Podcaster Cat Voleur 

This week has lots of movie talk--especially B movies and horror movies. Wednes and author Eric Mille [https://linktr.ee/ragingeric]r disagree about The Mist, agree on Matheson and BSG, and parse whether all demons are bad or if some just have bad press. Miller shares his journey of seeking help for depression, navigating a world where rejections are common, and his own bouts with impostor syndrome. Plus his first MadLib, Halloween vs Friday the 13th, Swamp Shark, seeing your work onscreen, and we end with a short story that you will NOT want to miss.
TW for suicide talk. 

Guest: Screenwriter and Author Eric Miller

This week, Wednes and David-Jack [https://linktr.ee/djfletcher] speak frankly and angrily about propaganda and contemporary politics. We also talk borderline disorder, trauma, horror movies of the 90s, and how we can receive love even when we don't feel worthy of it. Also representation, why "Hell is other people," and how we might eat differently if we could communicate with animals.
TW for suicidal ideation and planning. 

Australian Author, Publisher, and LGBTQ+ Advocate: David-Jack Fletcher

This week Wednes speaks with gender-fluid author of sci-fi, spec-fic, and the perpetually weird. We opine on the importance of support systems, when gender dysphoria shows up later in life, and the mandela effect. We also talk zombies, publishing, and Conrad Veidt. Also TWs and why anyone opposing them can eff off, plus what qualifies as 'weird fiction," and TT talks about their book: Loading the Machine Child. We close with a MadLib and a fantastic short story read by our guest. 

Guest: Author and Activist: TT Madden

TW for discussions of an active shooter situation and frank anti-fash talk.

Find more from Chloe Spencer here. [https://linktr.ee/chloespencer]

Chloe Spencer is an author, advocate, and game developer in the great state of Minnesota. We talk MAGAboys, PTSD and treatments that help, what makes a good game, and dating via text and app. We also discuss why victim-blaming is for cowards, which horror character resonates with Wednes the most, a Mad Lib, and I choke on my own rage for a hot second. We end with Chloe absolutely nailing an unedited reading from her most recent book.  It's a fab episode that would have been perfection if my mic hadn't switched to my desktop.

Author, Game Developer, Animal Advocate: Chloe Spencer

This week we talk about the benefits of embedded journalism, escaping the fundamentalist mindset, wtf happened at cbs, Anxiety, idiot plots marketing kids, and how awesome it is being married to a "wife guy."  We also talk RFK jr and other shameless MAGAboys, and why meta wants you to believe everyone is terrible. Also, poor people helping each other, being bi, and what we do about women who are tools of the patriarchy.
TW for SA, DV, and suicidal ideation. 

Guest: Journalist Sarah Rigg

Jack of all trades and master of some, Ryan Lieske [https://linktr.ee/RyanLieske] shares his experiences with depression, films, podcasting, and overcoming his fear of mental health meds. TW for suicidal ideation.

We also talk horror comedy, gen AI, opium dens, and why MAGAboys think saying "you have cats" is some kind of insult. We also talk zombies, environment, and how kids intuitively engage in art therapy. We also parse TV's Bates Motel pilot movie (RIP Bud Cort) and do a MadLib. 

Author, Podcaster, and Filmmaker Ryan Lieske

Riley ODell [https://linktr.ee/rileyodellwriter]lives with (and advocates for) Autism and ADHD. This week, we talk about the value of satire, how autism and ADHD can impact productivity, and why some ND people love horror so much. We also parse The Simpsons as a measure of class and economy, and whether or not anyone should have to "earn a living." We end with a MadLib followed by a banger or a short story that is not for sensitive audiences. 

Guest: Author and Advocate Riley ODell 

This week, the Empress of Tawnlandia [http://tawnlandia.com/] and I discuss our horror beginnings, cozy fiction, genres Wednes doesn't write in, and why gets left out of yt feminism. We also talk "What is a Safe Space" and how the people who think they don't need them actually may need them the most. Plus hot chicks we like, community outreach, and Wednes learns a zillion things about piloting and airplanes.

Author, Activist, Publisher, Pilot Tawn Krakowski 

Brought to you by Sometimes Hilarious Horror, the Mentally Oddcast features creatives discussing how mental illness, addiction, neurodivergence, and the impact of trauma informs & inspires their art. New eps every Wednesday! CW/TW for discussions on suicide, addiction, abuse, SA. 

Host Wednesday Lee Friday is the owner/EiC of Sometimes Hilarious Horror magazine, a quarterly horror lit mag for lovers of dark comedy. She's the author of A Stabbing for Sadie, Kiss Me Like You Love Me, The Finster Effect, and multiple short story collections. 

Intro/Outtro music by Peter Alway

the Mentally Oddcast

It's me, Wednesday Lee Friday. I host the Mentally Oddcast and Gratis Guignol. 

Wednesday Lee Friday

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